Dual state wrestling teams preparing for busy day
BY JOSH HALEY World Correspondent
Saturday, February 09, 2013
2/09/13 at 5:34 AM
It could be one of the greatest wrestling duals ever for a state championship.
2012's 6A championship dual between Broken Arrow and Union lived up to the hype, as Union held off the defending state champs in the final match to win a 31-30 thriller.
Last week, Broken Arrow beat Union in a dual for the first time since 2006 to make them the favorite for this year's title.
Last year's dual state tournaments also saw the format switch to a one-day event rather than two, as in the past, making for 10 hours of mayhem and madness.
"Any team can win it if they get on a roll in that one day," said Perry coach Ronnie Delk.
If a conversation arose about the greatest high school sports dynasties in Oklahoma, Perry wrestling would be mentioned a lot.
Perry's dynasty is still going with no end in sight. It won its fourth consecutive 3A dual state title last year and its 12th over the past 14 years.
"I have such a great group of kids," said Delk. "I can't hardly keep them out of the gym. They are always working hard."
The one-day format brings more changes than just the time frame.
Wrestlers only weigh in one time, meaning they are locked into that weight, or the one above. For example, if a wrestler weighs in at 145, that wrestler can compete at 145 or 152.
With the old format, for strategic purposes, a coach might weigh in a wrestler at 145 the first day, but 152 the second day, depending on the best matchup with their opponent(s).
"It kind of takes the coaches' juggling act out of it," said Berryhill coach D.J. McGrew.
Collinsville, who is going for a third straight title in Class 5A, is certainly a team that will get everyone's best strategies and efforts Saturday.
"I'm reminding our kids that they can't overlook anyone," said Collinsville coach Weston Harding.
In Class 4A, No. 1 Tuttle will be seeking a fourth straight championship but could be challenged by No. 2 Vinita, who hasn't lost to anyone in 4A this season.
Original Print Headline: Dual state teams preparing for busy day
Dual State Capsules
Class 6A
When: Saturday
Where: Claremore High School
Tickets: $5 for students and adults
Defending champion: Union
Team to beat: Broken Arrow. The Tigers' last title came in 2011 and they look as good as ever. Shawn Jones led Broken Arrow to an undefeated dual season that saw wins over the other three teams from the East, including Union, which topped the Tigers by one point for last year's title.
Team to watch: Edmond North. The Huskies might be the only team from the West that can challenge Broken Arrow's title defense. Their biggest weapon is the Dixon triplets, Lance, Joel and Andrew, who are almost sure-thing victories every time they step on the mat.
Saturday's schedule: No. 2 Edmond North vs. No. 5 Sapulpa, 10 a.m.; No. 4 Union vs. No. 8 Westmoore, 10 a.m.; No. 7 Midwest City vs. No. 1 Broken Arrow, 10 a.m.; No. 3 Muskogee vs. No. 6 Southmoore, 10 a.m. Semifinal matches at 2 p.m.; championship match at 6:30 p.m.
Class 5A
When: Saturday
Where: Claremore High School
Tickets: $5 for students and adults
Defending champion: Collinsville
Team to beat: Collinsville. The Cardinals are undefeated this season and haven't lost a dual to a fellow Class 5A team since 2010. Weston Harding's club upset Claremore's hopes of a three-peat in 2011 and now hopes to become the third ever team to three-peat in Class 5A.
Team to watch: Lawton MacArthur. The Highlanders had an impressive run last year before losing to Collinsville 52-17 in the finals. Collinsville head coach Weston Harding will be the first to say that Lawton Mac is better this year. Expect to see the Highlanders in a rematch with Collinsville.
Saturday's schedule: No. 2 Lawton MacArthur vs. No. 12 Grove, noon; No. 3 Shawnee vs. No. 5 Duncan, noon; No. 1 Collinsville vs. No. 6 Edmond Deer Creek, noon; No. 4 Altus vs. No. 8 Coweta, noon. Semifinal matches at 2 p.m.; championship matches at 6:30 p.m.
Class 4A
When: Saturday
Where: Cushing High School
Tickets: $5 for students and adults
Defending champion: Tuttle
Team to beat: Tuttle. The Tigers are seeking their fourth straight and 10th overall dual state title. Tuttle did not let an opponent within 10 points at last year's tournament but this year's field is very deep.
Team to watch: Vinita. Scott Mattison's crew is an impressive 16-1 this season with an impressive win over No. 5 Wagoner and a dual tournament win in Bristow. Their only loss came outside of 4A, but they have beaten 5A qualifier Grove.
Saturday's schedule: No. 1 Tuttle vs. No. 8 Bristow, 10 a.m.; No. 4 Locust Grove vs. No. 6 Blackwell, 10 a.m.; No. 2 Vinita vs. No. 7 Weatherford, 10 a.m.; No. 3 Piedmont vs. No. 5 Wagoner, 10 a.m. Semifinal matches at 2 p.m.; championship matches at 6:30 p.m.
Class 3A
When: Saturday
Where: Cushing High School
Tickets: $5 for students and adults
Defending champion: Perry
Team to beat: Perry. The Maroons are 12-1 this season, with the lone loss coming at the hands of 4A No. 1 Tuttle. Ronnie Delk's squad crushed 4A qualifiers Blackwell and Bristow. Until anyone proves otherwise, Perry is the stand-alone favorite in Class 3A and has four consecutive titles to prove it.
Team to watch: Berryhill. The Chiefs handed 4A No. 2 Vinita their only loss of the season and also knocked off fellow 3A qualifier Cascia Hall. D.J. McGrew coached Berryhill to the finals last year and would love another shot at Perry.
Saturday's schedule: No. 6 Cascia Hall vs. No. 2 Newkirk, noon; No. 7 Little Axe vs. No. 3 Berryhill, noon; No. 1 Perry vs. Geary, noon.; No. 5 Plainview vs. No. 4 Vian, noon. Semifinal matches at 2 p.m.; championship matches at 6:30 p.m.
